Does anyone have any feelings about the Therma Weld vs Ultra Weld Polaris window? I know that the Ultra Weld is top of the line but do I really need it? Someone told me that they look "different" because they are "bulkier" or thicker. I don't think I'd like that.
I got a price on 2 Thermal Welds with XL glass (two coats low E) for $780. For standard, (one coat Low E) the price was $670 Includes grids, labor, taxes, etc....Would also throw in replacement of the cladding on my kitchen atrium door as it wasn't properly installed.
Price on two Ultra weld windows with the XL glass (2 coats Low E) was $920 ($810 with standard,(one coat Low E). The windows face west and really get alot of hot sun in the afternoons.
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Central Indiana is certainly a climate where you would benefit from some passive solar heating in the winter months. That being the case, I would rather see triple pane as compared to a lower SHGC rated double pane on those South facing windows.

If the triple pane option pushes the window price outside the budgetary range, stay with the double pane and normal Low-e range.

Standard Low-e is going to dramatically reduce the solar heat (basically more than cut it by 2/3rds) over what you have now already (assuming you don't have Low-e windows right now).